Richard P. Kachurik

Richard P. Kachurik, of New Kensington, left this earthly world May 1, 2023, at the age of 67.

Born in New Kensington, September 2,1955, to the late John and Frances Kriegel Kachurik, he was a 1973 graduate of Valley High School, then moved to Ohio and completed his journeyman’s education in electronics.

Rick had many creative endeavors in his early life, one of which found him in Wheeling, WV, working at and owning a bar with his brother P.J., at P.J.’s Club, in the mid 1980’s, where he used his skills as an electrician to re-wire the building where the bar was established. 

In the 1990's Rick then moved to the state of Wisconsin and worked for Crown, Cork and Seal where he worked on the circuitry boards of the bottling machines.

In 1999 Rick moved back to New Kensington and was employed by Metal Working Machinery, and then to his current position at Shot Blast Machinery, both in New Kensington, where he did the circuitry for the blast machinery devices.

Rick's hobbies included working on computers.  He was intrigued with computer system technology and would breakdown and rebuild computer systems.  He also completed classes at WCCC at Youngwood where he received an A+ certification.

Rick also enjoyed playing darts and was in a traveling dart league on several teams. He enjoyed occasionally playing guitar, loved watching Jeopardy, and knew most of the answers. History channel was his night time bed channel. Rick liked to know the history of our world and ins and outs of how things work.  He knew a lot of trivial things that didn't concern most of us, and many would say he was a walking memory bank of useless information.

Rick was a lifetime member of the Seventh Sportsmen's Club, a member of the Hunter’s and Fisherman’s Club, both of New Kensington, a member of the Krivan Club, Springdale, and the  Loyal Order of the Moose #53, Lower Burrell.

Rick was a seven year survivor of throat cancer and a five year survivor of open heart surgery. He had a slow but progressive recovery which began in 2016 thru 2020. COVID came and no one really worked, but Rick returned to work in 2021/2022 and enjoyed his renewed life.  Anyone who saw Rick in his travels in 2022 thru present knew this.  He was finally living his cancer free / heart problem free life. Life had other plans and took Rick suddenly from this world. He will be missed dearly.

Rick is survived by his wife and partner of 23 years Cynthia Tracz, his brother Philip J. Kachurik, and his wife Bobbie Lamb of Arizona, his niece Renee, and her husband Michael Griffin of WV, his great-nieces Kacie and Karlee, his cousin Nancy Barron in California, and his furry children whom he adored.  Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his brother Thomas on January 25.
 
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Rick’s memory to the Animal Protectors of the Allegheny Valley or a charity of one’s choice.  His wife requests that anyone who reads this and has a picture, story or sentiment about Rick to send it to Cynthia Tracz, PO Box 2083, USPS 2893, Leechburg Road, New Kensington, PA 15068-2542.  She would like to create a memory book of him.

There will be no viewing but a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Mary of Czestochowa Roman Catholic Church, 857 Kenneth Ave, New Kensington on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 12 Noon.  All of his friends are welcome to attend.  Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Lower Burrell.  Rick’s classmate, ROSS G. WALKER of ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., was entrusted with his arrangements.

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